Congress approves a far-reaching overhaul of the nation’s health system.
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Congress approves a far-reaching overhaul of the nation’s health system.
Tom Rooney(R) votes against historic bill.
"Tonight's victory is not a victory for any party...it's a victory for the American people" - President Barack Obama following historic health care reform passage, March 21, 2010
1. SMALL
BUSINESS TAX CREDITS -- Offers tax credits to small businesses to make
employee coverage more affordable. Tax credits of up to 35 percent of
premiums will be immediately available to firms that choose to offer
coverage. Effective beginning for calendar year 2010. (Beginning
in 2014, the small business tax credits will cover 50 percent of premiums.)
2. BEGINS TO
CLOSE THE MEDICARE PART D DONUT HOLE-Provides a $250 rebate to Medicare beneficiaries
who hit the donut hole in 2010. Effective for calendar year
2010. (Beginning in 2011, institutes a 50% discount on brand-name
drugs in the donut hole; also completely closes the donut hole by 2020.)
3. FREE
PREVENTIVE CARE UNDER MEDICARE-Eliminates copayments for preventive
services and exempts preventive services from deductibles under the Medicare
program. Effective beginning January 1, 2011.
4. HELP FOR
EARLY RETIREES-Creates a temporary insurance program (until the Exchanges
are available) to help offset the costs of expensive premiums for employers and
retirees for health benefits for retirees age 55to 64. Effective 90
days after enactment.
5. ENDS
RESCISSIONS-Bans insurance companies from dropping people from coverage
when they get sick. Effective 6 months after enactment.
6. NO
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST CHILDREN WITH PRE EXISTING CONDITIONS-Prohibits new
health plans in all markets plus grandfathered group health plans from denying
coverage to children with preexisting conditions. Effective 6 months
after enactment. (Beginning in 2014, this prohibition would apply to
all persons.)
7. BANS
LIFETIME LIMITS ON COVERAGE-Prohibits health insurance companies from
placing lifetime caps on coverage. Effective 6 months after enactment.
8. BANS
RESTRICTIVE ANNUAL LIMITS ON COVERAGE-Tightly restricts the use of annual
limits to ensure access to needed care in all new plans and grandfathered group
health plans. These tight restrictions will be defined by HHS. Effective
6 months after enactment. (Beginning in 2014, the use of any annual
limits would be prohibited for all new plans and grandfathered group health
plans.)
9. FREE
PREVENTIVE CARE UNDER NEW PRIVATE PLANS-Requires new private plans to cover
preventive services with no copayments and with preventive services being
exempt from deductibles. Effective 6 months after enactment.
10. NEW, INDEPENDENT APPEALS PROCESS-Ensures
consumers in new plans have access to an effective internal and external
appeals process to appeal decisions by their health insurance plan. Effective
6 months after enactment.
11. ENSURING VALUE FOR PREMIUM
PAYMENTS-Requires plans in the individual and small group market to spend
80 percent of premium dollars on medical services, and plans in the large group
market to spend 85 percent. Insurers that do not meet these thresholds
must provide rebates to policyholders. Effective on January 1, 2011.
12. IMMEDIATE HELP FOR THE UNINSURED
UNTIL EXCHANGE IS AVAILABLE (INTERIM HIGH RISK POOL)-Provides immediate
access to affordable insurance for Americans who are uninsured because of a
preexisting condition through a temporary subsidized high risk pool. Effective
90 days after enactment.
13. EXTENDS COVERAGE FOR YOUNG
PEOPLE UP TO 26TH BIRTHDAY THROUGH PARENTS' INSURANCE - Requires new health
plans and certain grandfathered plans to allow young people up to their 26th
birthday to remain on their parents' insurance policy, at the parents'
choice. Effective 6 months after enactment.
14. COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS-Increases
funding for Community Health Centers to allow for nearly a doubling of the
number of patients seen by the centers over the next 5 years. Effective
beginning in fiscal year 2010.
15. INCREASING NUMBER OF PRIMARY
CARE DOCTORS-Provides new investment in training programs to increase the
number of primary care doctors, nurses, and public health professionals. Effective
beginning in fiscal year 2010.
16. PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION BASED
ON SALARY-Prohibits group health plans from establishing any eligibility
rules for health care coverage that have the effect of discriminating in favor
of higher wage employees. Effective 6 months after enactment.
17. HEALTH INSURANCE CONSUMER
INFORMATION-Provides aid to states in establishing offices of health
insurance consumer assistance in order to help individuals with the filing of
complaints and appeals. Effective beginning in FY 2010.
18. CREATES NEW, VOLUNTARY, PUBLIC
LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE PROGRAM-Creates a long term care insurance
program to be financed by voluntary payroll deductions to provide home and
community-based services to adults who become functionally disabled. Effective
on January 1, 2011.
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